The 2008 CFL leading receiver announced yesterday he will miss the rest of the 2009 campaign due to an ACL tear.

Rambo was hurt on a tackle from behind by B.C. Lions linebacker Javy Glatt Friday night in a 48-10 Calgary Stampeders' win in Vancouver.

The 31-year-old fought back tears in delivering the news.

"It's a tough feeling. I have mixed emotions. This is football," Rambo said. "I'm here today and I'm breathing. I'm not going anywhere. I will support my team. I will do everything I can do, the meetings and stuff. I'm a team guy so I will be here to support my guys.

"It's unfortunate, but this is what it is. To all our fans, thanks for backing us up.

"Keep watching the show. The show will be good. Enjoy it.

"This is where we're at today. I don't have too much to say. I can't wait to get (surgery) out of the way and to get this rehab going. I can't wait until next year.

"I'm anxious because this is a whole new thing for me. I've never been injured to this degree. I've never had big knee injuries or anything like this.

"This is going to be a little different. My head will be into this because I'm a professional and I've been doing this for nine years. I know what to bring to the table team-wise."

"Thank you for the support from our fans. It's going to be a good year and I'll be back next year."

Rambo will have a first surgery next Tuesday to repair the meniscus and clean the joint. In about a month, he will get a reconstruction done on his ACL.

This is a tough injury for anyone, but especially difficult for a receiver who needs speed to get open.

"Ken-Yon understands the difficulty in recovering from this type of injury, but he's committed to being in training camp next year," said Stamps head coach John Hufnagel. "But the season is over for Ken-Yon."

Rookie Titus Ryan will take over in Rambo's spot as an outside receiver and the speedster has huge shoes to fill.

Rambo had 100 receptions for 1,473 yards last year, all personal bests, and he led the CFL in receiving yardage.

In his fifth season with the Red and White, Rambo was arguably the most important member of the Stamps offence coming off his first all-star award.

The rest of the receivers will have to compensate.

"We're still the same team," said slotback Nik Lewis. "We're going to miss him, but we still have to keep pushing forward."

If there is a silver lining, the Stamps should have the popular Rambo around during practices and games to offer his football knowledge to the other pass-catchers.

"One thing that won't change is Ken-Yon will be one of the emotional charges," said quarterback Henry Burris.

"It will be more emotion not having him out there. We will dedicate this season to him.

"We go out play for ourselves and the fans, but we play for guys like him, too. He should and would be out there, but can't because of an unfortunate injury."